It is a complex question, with no black-and-white answer. The question is relevant to healthcare professionals, mothers, friends, families and the society we live in. Why? In societies that provide the greatest support to women, i.e. The incidence of postpartum depression (PPD) is lower in societies where women are given the most support.

Many women experience PPD or PPA (Postpartum anxiety) after giving birth, but we’ve only been discussing the issue for a little over ten years. Marie Osmond deserves a lot credit for her appearance on Oprah’s show 12 years ago, where she spoke about PPD. She shed light on this issue. PPD and PPA had no face until then. This was not a topic that could be discussed in polite society. Most of us held the myth of “happy mothers and perfect babies” in our heads. This image made it harder for mothers to seek help.

PPD is a disease or symptom that brings to mind several things:

1. Depression or Exhaustion: Pregnancy and birth are the most demanding physiological processes. Women often have to take care of a newborn baby, as well as other children and their husbands. The needs of new babies are constant, day and night. New babies need to be fed, soothed and suckled. This means that the mother will probably not be sleeping through night. Negative mental states are caused by sleep deprivation. The stress of caring for an infant and a family can exhaust a mother. A new mother who has undergone a C-section is recovering from the surgery. The treatment of exhaustion should be as important as the treatment of depression.

2. Nutritional Depletion The body of a baby is entirely made up of nutrients donated by the mother. The placenta also contains nutrients from the mother’s body. The placenta takes nutrients from the mother’s blood and passes them on to the developing foetus. Nature is wired to make sure that the mother will have to sacrifice for the sake and new life. Since blood is created from nutrients, some women lose large amounts of blood while giving birth. This further depletes the mother’s nutrition reserves.

Research has shown that deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as DHA and EPA from fish oil, can lead to depression and mood swings. Lack of B vitamins can also cause depression. Postpartum women will benefit from a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, fish oil and calcium and magnesium supplements. Most health care providers recommend that women continue taking their prenatal vitamin for several months following the birth of their baby.

3. Community In the past, when extended families were living together or nearby, a mother could rest for several weeks and still have her needs met. Women from her family and neighbors prepared meals for her and her family, and helped soothe her emotions as her body recovered. Many women today do not receive the same kind of support. In the 1950s, a woman just after giving birth would stay in the maternity unit for 2 weeks on average to rest and bond with her baby. She is now out of the hospital within 48 hours.

There are now thousands of websites created by women who suffered from postpartum depression and have survived it. They want to help other mothers. Women share their stories, fears and treatment methods in these communities. It is important that mothers who suffer from PPD or PPA know they are not the only ones. These sites offer valuable information, support and community to mothers and their families.

4. Health Overview:When considering the question whether PPD is a symptom or a disease, it’s important to have a comprehensive health overview. The health care provider can use hormone testing, adrenal stress test, thyroid tests to help determine the best treatment plan for a woman suffering from PPD.

5. Drug Intervention:Although we are oriented towards natural remedies, there is always a time and place for drugs. Natural therapies may not provide the immediate relief needed by mothers with PPD or PPA. They will greatly benefit from medications that can help them get through the most difficult part of PPD or PPA. Postpartum psychosis is a condition that requires women to take medication for the rest of their lives. No mother should suffer. Drug therapy is part of an overall plan that includes diet, exercise and talk therapy, as well as vitamin supplements and supplementation.